President Lee says South Korea can and must defend itself, not rely on 'foreign' troops
Published: 28 Apr. 2026, 16:56
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- SARAH KIM
- [email protected]
![President Lee Jae Myung draws a bowstring during a national archery tournament at the Hyeonchungsa archery range in Asan, South Chungcheong, on April 28. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/28/8ff72b25-715e-4b5e-9fa6-c798875cd490.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung draws a bowstring during a national archery tournament at the Hyeonchungsa archery range in Asan, South Chungcheong, on April 28. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
President Lee Jae Myung asked on Tuesday why South Koreans continue to worry that the country couldn't defend itself without the assistance of "foreign" troops, despite its world-class military.
"A nation must protect itself," Lee said in a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House in central Seoul, addressing apparent public anxiety over security matters. "Why rely on others?"
Lee underscored that self-defense is "natural and fully possible," remarks which come as he pushes for South Korea to recover wartime operational control, or Opcon, from the United States within his five-year term, which ends in 2030.
The president pointed out that South Korea ranks fifth in the world in terms of military power, excluding U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), and that its annual defense spending is 1.4 times North Korea's annual gross national product.
"We are well-trained, our morale is high, our economic power is incomparable and our defense industry has risen to fourth place in the world in terms of exports alone," Lee said, addressing his defense minister. "But why do we keep harboring anxieties as if self-defense would be difficult without foreign troops?"
Lee appeared to be refuting claims that the Opcon transfer is premature, while emphasizing the need for a swift return of wartime control to South Korea.
Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back replied that there are "forces instigating such sentiments," but added that most people recognize South Korea's true abilities.
The president urged Ahn to prepare for self-reliant defense and to "formulate strategic and operational plans" to be "fully prepared to execute tactics and strategies independently."
Ahn briefed the president that the military has both "tangible and intangible assets and strategic systems that can speed up the Opcon transfer.
"Of course, that's how it should be," Lee said, instructing his defense chief to "ensure that the public fully recognizes that we are fully capable as we are now, and that there is no need to worry about increasing defense spending in the future."
![Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, left, shakes hands with U.S. Gen. Xavier Brunson, incoming commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on Feb. 13. [FOREIGN MINISTRY]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/28/daab6edc-070b-4668-acbe-488a97c40e38.jpg)
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, left, shakes hands with U.S. Gen. Xavier Brunson, incoming commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on Feb. 13. [FOREIGN MINISTRY]
When asked about the Opcon transfer timeline, National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac told reporters in a press conference on Thursday, "Our government intends to complete the transfer as soon as possible, and consultations between both sides are currently underway in that direction."
Wi noted that such talks between Seoul and Washington will take place "without any vacuum in security matters and without damaging the cooperation system" between the two countries.
During Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Lee called to "naturally further develop cooperation with traditional allies" after briefing members on the results of his state visits to India and Vietnam last week.
"We need the wisdom to build a healthy and future-oriented relationship by resolving current issues based on common sense and principles, grounded in mutual respect," Lee said, possibly hinting at recent hiccups in South Korea-U.S. relations.
Washington reportedly protested Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's public revelation of a North Korean uranium enrichment facility in the city of Kusong and partially restricted intelligence sharing on Pyongyang with Seoul. The United States has also been levying pressure over a local investigation into a massive data leak by e-commerce giant Coupang, contributing to speculation of brewing bilateral tensions.
![President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House in central Seoul on April 28. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/28/303000ec-8497-4909-905d-7aa0c562a13d.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House in central Seoul on April 28. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
"Structural reorganization of the global economy and security is underway due to the expansion of geopolitical risks triggered by the wars in the Middle East," Lee said. "To secure stable growth engines amid this wave of change, we must reduce our dependence on specific regions, and strategic, flexible diplomacy focused on national interests and pragmatism that steadily expands our options is urgently needed."
At the Cabinet meeting, several amendments were approved, including a bill designating Labor Day on May 1 and Constitution Day on July 17 as statutory public holidays starting this year.
BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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